Non-profit libraries in trouble but more are coming, and try not to think about Bradford

Changes by local authority

• Argyll and Bute – Library closures put on hold, likely to become volunteer in future
• Borders – £2.5m cut for leisure inc. libraries, consultation.
• Bradford – 68% cut in funding and 74% cut in book budget since 2010
• Isle of Man – Family Library closure confirmed
• Liverpool – Breck Road and Dovecot libraries run by non-profit may close
• North Northamptonshire – Raunds Library current non-profit arrangement ending, new non-profit sought
• Warrington – Westbrook Library to stay open for two years while “self-funded alternative offer” is developed.

National news

• Developer plots revamp of Richard Gilbert Scott building on Ridgmount Street – Fitzrovia News. “It was originally constructed in 1965 to designs by Richard Gilbert Scott of the firm Sir Giles Scott, Son and Partner. The main section along Store Street housed the National Central Library and the Library Association occupied the eastern end of the site. In 1991 what is now the University of Law moved into the larger Store Street part. The Institute for Fiscal Studies also occupies part of the Ridgmount Street wing. Fiala+Nemec’s new design for 7 Ridgmount Street would see the top floor of the existing five-storey building demolished and two new storeys constructed with the addition of roof terraces to provide amenity space for office workers.”
• Life in the Soviet Union taught me to cherish Britain’s miniature libraries – Prospect. “The contents of the ex-phone boxes differ with location. Cambridgeshire sarcophagi are often filled with books in foreign languages, dictionaries and nonfiction. (I once spotted a neatly bound copy of a dissertation in one of them.) The red cabins of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire are normally resplendent with battered Mills & Boon paperbacks and, for some obscure reason, almost ubiquitously, novels by Virginia Andrews. A revealing socio-demographic survey could be conducted, or a dissertation written, about it, even if the latter would itself eventually end up in one of the sarcophagi.”

International news

• USA – Supreme Court OKs fee that subsidizes phone, internet services in schools, libraries and rural areas – Seattle Times. “The justices, by a 6-3 vote, reversed an appeals court ruling that had struck down as unconstitutional the Universal Service Fund, the charge that has been added to phone bills for nearly 30 years. At arguments in March, liberal and conservative justices alike expressed concerns about the potentially devastating consequences of eliminating the fund, which has benefited tens of millions of Americans.”
  • A Delicate Dance – American Libraries. Looking at how to fight state and government rules while still keeping one’s job. “ways that staff members could take part in fighting for their beliefs while not jeopardizing their status as government employees, such as by getting involved in the intellectual freedom committees of their state library associations, contributing Book Résumés, and volunteering on city boards and committees.”
  • Trump administration could change the way we read, from book bans to author talks – USA Today. “Hazelwood, who is originally from Italy and now resides in the U.S., was booked for several international appearances before she canceled because “it’s not possible for me to safely travel outside and then back inside the US” … “Canadian bestseller Louise Penny canceled her American tour stops in March because of Trump and “the threat of an unprovoked trade war against Canada” in regards to tariffs”. Suspicions that American authors are finding events at universities cancelled if they are not ideologically aligned with Trump. “”It actually occurred to me, maybe I should hold off and wait until Trump is out of office before I try to sell my book because I don’t know if publishers are afraid of publishing books by people of color”

Local news by authority

• Argyll and Bute – Three Argyll and Bute libraries set to remain, says council – Helensburgh Advertiser. “Council spokesperson this week said that plans for the closure of Cardross and Tarbert were on hold, while discussions were taking place over Rosneath Library’s future.” Tiree not funded. ““In relation to Rosneath, Tarbert and Cardross, our funding was not uplifted ” … “Moving forward we will be exploring community-type volunteer-led delivery models. Currently, there is no timeline for cessation of service.””
• Barnet – Summer activities in Barnet Libraries – Barnet Post. Not Story Garden. “Children will receive a reading journal when they join, full of activities to complete as well as space to record what they read. Those who read six books before 6th September, will be awarded a certificate and badge and they’ll discover the identity of the mysterious Book Crook, who’s been stealing books from Barnet’s libraries”
• Bedford – Summer Reading Challenge 2025 launches at Bedford Borough Libraries: “Story Garden” inspires young readers – Bedford Council. Story Garden.
• Borders – Under-threat public halls among venues announced for drop-in events to help decide their future – Greatest Hits Radio. “Scottish Borders Council has this afternoon (Monday) announced details of a series of drop-in events, to allow the public to have their say on the future of many of the region’s libraries, leisure centres and public halls. A report by independent consultants last month recommended closing more than 30 buildings operated by Live Borders and cutting more than 50 jobs in a bid to find annual savings of more than £2.5 million.”
• Bradford – Bradford’s library book budget falls to 31p a head – BBC. “Bradford Council has 31p per person to spend on new books for the district’s libraries – 73p less than the national average – according to the latest figures. The cash-strapped authority had made almost £6m in savings across its library service since 2010 having suffered a 68% reduction in overall funding during the austerity years. Spending on books and materials had fallen even further, it said, dropping 73% over the same period.”
• Brent – £1m makeover forces Brent library to shut temporarily – Harrow Online. “The work will soon start on the £1.14m renovation of Kilburn Library on Salusbury Road after the plans were first approved by Brent Council’s Cabinet in April 2023. The local authority is still working on “temporary alternative arrangements” for residents to access key services whilst the refurbishment is taking place.”
• Brighton and Hove – Up to three libraries face being shelved – Brighton and Hove News. “A “sustainability plan” is due to be published and if Brighton and Hove City Council’s cabinet agrees – it will go out for consultation. The plan is being prepared for publication after the council said that it was looking to cut £250,000 from its annual £3.7 million libraries budget over two years.”
• Camden – Camden champions lifelong reading with new strategy and summer challenge – Camden Council. “Developed in close partnership with The Reading Agency and Camden’s Libraries Service, and shaped by valuable local voices, the Camden Reading Together 2025–2030 strategy sets a shared vision to make Camden a place where everyone, from babies to older adults, can discover and nurture a passion for reading.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Chester libraries encouraging adults to read two books – Standard. “The Cheshire West and Chester Council Libraries Service’s initiative is part of the ‘Adults Read Two’ event. This follows last year’s successful summer reading challenge aimed at promoting adult reading. Participants aged 16 and above need to read two books between July 5 and September 7.”
• Cornwall – Cornwall kids invited to join summer reading challenge – Packet. Story Garden. “In 2024, more than 8,500 children across Cornwall, accounting for 15 per cent, took part in the challenge.”
• Cumberland – Just one week left to take part in survey on future of Library Service in Cumberland – Cumberland Council. “More than 1,000 people – both current library members and non-users – have already taken part in the survey which closes on Friday, July 4. It asks a variety of questions, including asking for feedback on things like library buildings, digital services, interactions with staff, and ideas for the future.”
• Derby – Summer Reading Challenge brings free family fun to Derby libraries – Derby Council. Story Garden.
• Devon – Anna Turns becomes patron of South Hams libraries charity – Ivy Bridge Today. “Environmental journalist, author and broadcaster Anna Turns, is Libraries Unlimited’s newest charity patron.” … “Anna has joined as a patron at a key time, as the first Summer Book Quest – The Deep Sea Adventure – launches on July 12, and they recently announced Together for Tomorrow, their £1.5 million climate project funded by National Lottery Community Fund.”
• Dudley – Celebrating Dudley Archives volunteers – Express and Star.
  • Dudley libraries to launch summer reading challenge – Dudley News. Story Garden.
• East Lothian – East Lothian parliamentarians visit John Gray Centre – East Lothian Council. “Douglas Alexander, Lothian East MP, and Martin Whitfield, South Scotland MSP, attended the event to express the importance of libraries in assisting local communities, skills and people’s lives. The visit was a part of the Libraries Change Lives campaign, which is run by CILIP, the UK’s library and information association.”
  • Children’s summer reading challenge launched – Step into the Story Garden – East Lothian Council.
• Gateshead – Gateshead Libraries honour Chopwell’s mining heritage – Gateshead Council. “Gateshead Libraries are taking part in a free festival marking 100 years since the Chopwell Lockout. The ‘Little Moscow’ festival, organised by local community groups and funded by the National Lottery’s Heritage Fund, will see 6 weeks of commemorative events take place throughout the village this summer. “
• Highland – Loch Ness community of Dores opens new miniature library after £3000 National Lottery funds boost – Inverness Courier. “As dozens of public libraries close yearly across the UK, a small Loch Ness-side community is bucking the trend – by opening one of their own.”
• Hillingdon – Crime writing stars draw audience to Hillingdon reading festival – Hillingdon Times. “Those attending the inaugural Hillingdon Libraries Crime Festival had books signed and heard first-hand accounts from nine acclaimed authors. They included the Rev Richard Coles, along with Mark Billingham, SJ Bennett, Fiona Cummins and Elly Griffiths.”
• Hull – Children’s literature festival returns to city – BBC. “With a theme of “What if….” The Big Malarkey Festival will return to East Park in Hull on Saturday 28 June and Sunday 29 June. Organised by Hull Libraries, the family friendly event will include writers, dancers, illustrators, poets, actors and musicians.”
• Isle of Man – Struggling community library confirms closure date – BBC. “The Isle of Man’s Family Library has confirmed it will close at the end of next month after a long struggle to keep it financially viable. The charity-run community library will shut on 31 July due to expected losses of £100,000, blamed on rising costs and declining incomes. Director Kurt Rosen said people would have until 18 July to borrow books, including from the mobile library and delivery services, before the final two weeks would be spent retrieving all stock.”
• Leicester – Fears over switch to volunteer-run libraries – BBC. ” users have told the BBC they fear no volunteers will be prepared to take over the buildings, which means they could be forced to close. The council said the proposals did not amount to a closure programme and no decisions had been made. A consultation on the proposal runs until 29 June.”

“To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the guidance entitled Libraries as a statutory service, published on 21 February 2025, whether her Department was informed by Leicester City Council of its plans for a consultation on the future of its library service before that consultation was launched.” Shockat Adam MP Independent, Leicester South … response was DCMS met with Leicester on 24 March.

• Liverpool – Liverpool MakeFest Celebrates a Decade of Creativity at Central Library – Culture Liverpool. “Liverpool MakeFest returns on Saturday 5 July for its 10th anniversary, promising a vibrant, hands-on celebration of creativity, innovation, and imagination.”
• Leaf through a summer of stories – Liverpool Express. Story Garden.
• Liverpool libraries could face closure in ‘hammer blow’ – Birkenhead News. “Alt Valley Community Trust (AVCT) has said it may have to close two sites it operates if it does not receive grant funding from Liverpool Council. According to AVCT, the city council has said that it will not provide cash that supports the operation of Breck Road and Dovecot community libraries if the £80,000 disputed contribution to the lease at the Anfield site is not paid by Monday, 30 June. They described this as a “hammer blow”. However, the local authority said it had been pursuing “substantial debt across multiple services” owed by AVCT for a number of years. As a result, it will not sustain existing grants – thought to be more than £50,000 – unless debts are repaid.”
• Monmouthshire – Go-ahead for former library to be used as mosque – BBC.
• North Northamptonshire – North Northamptonshire libraries launch the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge – North Northamptonshire Council. Story Garden.
• Search is on for new partner to run town’s library – BBC. “The library in Raunds, Northamptonshire, was one of those threatened with closure by Northamptonshire County Council in 2018. It was taken over by a community trust and Creating Tomorrow College. A call has gone out for “expressions of interest” in taking on the library’s lease and running the service” … “A partnership was then set up between Raunds Community Library Trust (RCLT) and Creating Tomorrow College (CTC). CTC took on the lease and RCLT organised the volunteers who ran the day-to-day operations of the service. A spokesperson for the council said the Creating Tomorrow College was now seeking to exit the lease “as the library no longer fits with their strategic business model”.” see also Expressions of interest sought to take on the running of Raunds Library – North Northamptonshire Council.
• North Somerset – Enter the Story Garden in libraries this summer – North Somerset Council.
• Threat of closure looms for North Somerset libraries – Somerset Live. 12-week consultation in July. “Although nobody said out loud in the meeting that the savings would mean some of the district’s libraries closing, council reports have made it clear that this is what is being considered. With two thirds of the library budget spent on staffing, the report said that any savings would result in “reductions in services.””

• Peterborough – Campaigners book appeal success for threatened Woodston Library and summer holiday events launch – Friends of Woodston Library press release. “We have been overwhelmed by the support given to our book appeal and the free events for local children we are organising over the holidays.”
• Plymouth – Former Plymouth library transformed into homes for rent – Plymouth Herald. “Eight energy-efficient homes have been completed in Ford for social rent. Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) transformed the former North Prospect Library site located at Greatlands Place to deliver the properties in partnership with Plymouth City Council and Homes England.”
• Reading – Images released of Reading’s new central library – Greatest Hits Radio. “In the library there will be a substantial area dedicated to children, which will be decorated with a lush forest and animal theme with plenty of books as well as interactive games. There will be ample space for the much-loved rhyme-time and other performances.”. Computer images and floorplans.
  • ‘Reading loves reading’ summer of activities for children – Reading Chronicle. Story Garden, Mini and “New Book Bingo Challenge – for teens and adults. Yes, grown-ups, this one’s for you too! Read three books, visit the library three times, and you’re in the running for a prize.”
• Sheffield – Libraries open a new world for the old and young alike – Yorkshire Post Letters – Yorkshire Post. ” It is such a shame our area no longer has a library of its own, the council library staff having long since gone from Newfield Green and Gleadless Libraries” … “Does anyone else in Gleadless think we should have a properly staffed council library put back in the area for the benefit of old and young alike?”
• South Ayrshire – Ayrshire library set to temporarily close as new heating and air conditioning unit installed – Daily Record. “Alloway Library is set to close for two days next month for essential maintenance. The facility will be shut on July 7 and 8 to allow for a new heating and air conditioning system to be installed.”
• Suffolk – Library service restored after catalogue issues – East Anglian Daily Times. “The issue was first reported on Tuesday by the independent provider that runs the Spydus software. This left Suffolk Community Libraries users unable to reserve and renew items such as books, films and other services. As a result, the service renewed all customer loans which are due back imminently until Friday, July 4.” see also Suffolk Libraries website crashes after council handover – East Anglian Daily Times.
• Warrington – Library closure plans scrapped by council following public response – Liverpool Echo. “Westbrook Library is set to remain open, according to revised plans announced by Warrington Borough Council. In March, the Labour-run council had proposed to close the library due to its lower performance compared to other libraries in the town and the need to reduce rental costs. The council pointed out that Westbrook Library is the only community library in Warrington not situated within a council building, which means the council has to pay rent. This proposal was made amidst significant financial challenges facing the Labour-run council.” but “Westbrook Library will remain open. Over a two-year span, the council will strive to develop a self-funded alternative offer for the venue as a library and community centre.”
  • Pupil protest leads to U-turn on library closure – BBC. “a demonstration by children from St Philip’s Westbrook Primary School in April and backlash in a consultation on wider cost-cutting plans for to the council’s libraries service.”
• Worcestershire – Free family fun this summer with Worcestershire Libraries & National Trust Croome – Worcestershire Council. Story Garden.